Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the Nigeria’s economic reforms are beginning to restore investors’ confidence and spur corporate growth even as citizens grapple with short-term hardships.
Speaking at the 66th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) in Abuja, Shettima urged economists across Africa to take the lead in repositioning the continent within the global economy.
He stressed that Africa’s 1.5 billion people must be treated as an asset, not a liability, if the region were to unlock growth and inclusion.
“The future of Africa cannot be left to chance. While Asia and South America have become global models, Africa cannot continue to lag with intra-African trade at just 16 percent of total trade,” Shettima warned.
The Vice President’s remarks came as Federal Government pushes structural reforms to attract capital inflows, improve fiscal sustainability and boost productivity.
Industry-specific policies also took center stage at the Conference, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, pledged to unlock the sector’s potential by reducing reliance on meat and dairy imports.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the livestock sector today will be the next crude oil,” he said.
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning reaffirmed Government’s openness to engaging professionals in shaping reforms, while Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of Finance pressed for legislation to enforce national development plans.
Eric Ogunleye, representing the African Development Bank’s praised Nigeria’s reform momentum, describing it as a model that could guide Africa’s broader transformation.
Adeola Adenikinju, NES President, called for the Society’s reintegration into Nigeria’s Economic Management Team.
The conference, attended by delegates from 22 African countries, focused on “Rethinking Africa’s Development Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion in a Changing Global Economic Landscape.”
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